Google and Facebook are following an Indian directive to remove some online content. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

(Newser)
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A strongly-worded directive from an Indian court, threatening to crack down on websites "like China," has pushed Google and Facebook to bar some content on Indian domains, Reuters reports. Some 19 other companies have also been asked to block material considered offensive to Hindus, Muslims, and Christians following a court case. The companies haven't yet given details of what was removed.

Last month, the firms said they were unable to remove the material; now, a lower court wants an explanation of how they did it. "If the companies have actually removed some content, they should put in place a mechanism to do it regularly, instead of waiting for a court case every time," said the petitioner who brought the criminal case against them. The case comes amid under a new law that holds firms accountable for user content on their sites; Google, Facebook, and Yahoo have appealed the ruling.